Door closing and checking device.



. A. H. SULSER. DOOR CLOSING AND CHECKING DEVICE. APPLIUATION rum) NOV.3,1908.

Patented Feb. 23, 1909.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

9 I ll y a z forney.

A. H. SULSER.

DOOR GLOSING AND GHEUKI NG DEVICE. APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 3, 1908.

91 3 320, Patented Feb. 23, 1909.

2 SHEEN-SHEET 2.

052% 667% Jhvervo 7' j a aZam .SuZser,

simplify and improve upon of such dev ces in varlous part culars, as

stares PATENT oFFICE- ADAM H. SEJLSEB, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO AUGUST E. L. SCHWIERING, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

DOOR CLOSING- AND CHECKIHG DEVlCCE.

no. 913,3eo.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 23, 1909.

Application filed November 3, 1903. Serial No. 460,888.

To cll ichom it'mo'y concern:

Be it known that I, ADAM H. Screen, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of. Columbia, have inventednew and useful Improvements in. Door Closing and Checking Devices, of whiich the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to'a device to be attached-ton door and its casing for auto-' m'ati'cally closing the door when opened, and- ,also to checkthe closing movement of the door: to prevent slamming.

' lhe' Ina-in objects of (his invention are to the construction will hereinafter appear.'

The invention con'sistsin the matters hereinafter described and pointed out in the appended claims.

For a detail description ofmy invention I will refer to the drawings furnished which illustrate one embodiment of the several novel features.-

Figure l is a plan view of a device embodying my invention as it appears when applied to a door, the several parts thereof being shown in the door is closed. Fig. Qis a similar view showing the posltions of the parts when the door is part-way open. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the spring-casing, the supporting bracket, and the arm which is secured to the spring-casing and which is operated on by the spring ;tor closing the door. Fig. l is a side view of the bracket and spring-casing with the attached arm shown in section. Fig. 5 is a plan view of theibracket and spring-casing, the cover of view.

nects the piston rod of the checking device tothe supporting bracket, and Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the piston.

, The device as a whole includes a bracket A an arm B which 18 pivotally secured to the position assumed when said bracket through the medium of aspring casing C, the latter being rotatively mounted on the bracket A, a checking device, and

an adjustable link D which is pivot-ally con-, nectcd to the outer end of the arm B and which at its other end is 'pivotally secured to a bracket E. The device is secured to a door and its casing by means-of, the brackets A and E, the bracket A being secured to the door at or near its upper edge, say about six inches from the hinge line of the door, and the bracket E is secured to the door casing above the door, the relativexpositions of the brackets being about as shown in Fig.

1. When properly mounted and adjusted,

the door is closed by the action of a sprin 1, thisrotative movement of the casing car rying with it the arm B which acts to close the door in a manner common to doorclosing devices of this general type. The link D is made in two telescoping sections d and 5' so that the length of the link may be adjusted to suit the plane of the door casing to which it is to be attached, the sections being locked in their adjusted positions by a set screw (Z The bracket A is provided with a shaft or stud 0: upon which the spring-casing is, rotatively mounted, this stud being referably formed integral with the bracket, ut which may be made separate therefrom and secured to the bracket in any suitable manner.

The stud a is provided with .series of grooves a arranged longitudinally thereof into one or which is inserted the inner bent end f of the spring F, the series of grooves being provided to facilitate assembling the parts, it being immaterial which of the several grooves is engaged by the spring. The other or outer end of the spring F is bent as" at f to engage a slot or groove 0 formed on the inside of the wall of'the casing C in which said spring is inclosed. Said casing is in the form of-a circular box having a removable cover 0, the bottom of the casing and also the cover being provided with a central opening for receiving the stud a of the supporting bracket on which said casing rotates. It is to be noted that as one end of the spring F is connected to the fixed stud a and the other end to the casing C, said spring will exert its force to return the casing to normal position whenever it is ro- ,F which tends to rotate the spring-casing I in the direction of the. arrow shown in Fig.

. connections by Which thecover may be the cover of the casing as shown, or it may spring F to force the pin Z2 4O a ring, so that said bar cannot be entirely ,separated from the ring.

'ciently close tothe edge-of the bar B to prevent'the latter from being moved intated on said stud against the tension of said r spring. The casing cover 0 is provided with I two or more pins 0 which project inwardly from an annular depending flange, (see Fig. l 6,,"-said pins being adapted to enter slots 0 1 formed in the upper edge of the main body I of the casing. The slots 0 are extended laterally from each side of a central opening to form shoulders with which said p1nsengage for locking the cover and casing toget-her, the pins and slots forming bayonet locked against direct removal by turning the cover in either direction after the pins have been inserted in the slots 0", as will be readily understood.

On top of the cover 0 is a notched ring 0*- which is concentric with the bracket stud a, and to which the bar B is adjustably secured. Said ring may be made integral with B, and while constructed and mounted be made separately therefrom and attached thereto in any suitable manner. The ring is arranged to form inwardly and outwardly projecting annular shoulders, one of which is formed by the inner edge 0 and the other by the outer notched edge 0 of the ring. The inner end of the arm B is provided on its under surface with two pins or projections 6 and 1) adapted to engage the inner and outer edges of the ring 0 as shown in Fig. 7 The pin 5 isadapted to enter one of the notches 0 in the outer edge of the ring, and the other pin 6 is located a sufficientdistance therefrom to engage the inner edge 0 of the ring some degrees distant from the notch occupied by the pin 6, the latter being acted on by the ring .under pressure of the against the inner edge of the ring and thus firmly hold the bar B to said ring. Each of the pins 6 and Z) is provided with ahead 6 which engages with the under surface of the ring to. pre

- relative vent the bar B from being lifted from the ring, and on referring to Fig. 7, it Willbe seen that the stud a of the bracket is sufliwardly far enough to release the head 5 of the pin 6 from its engagement with the The bar B may however, be moved for releasing the pin 6 from the notch c with which it may be en- 'gaged, as'shown'in dotted lines in Fi 7, and said bar may then be moved arounf the ring and the pin 6 inserted in another notch c for adjusting the tension of the spring F and this may be done after the :device has been applied to a door by first separatin the two sections of the adjustable link The bar B may also be entirely reversed or adapting the device to .a right. hand door by swinging its outer end around so that it will extend in an opposite direc- .eiasao tion from the ring, but when this adjust ment is made the spring F must also be reversed, and this is accomplished by removing the cover of the spring casing, removing the spring and reinsert'mg versed position, the ends of readily engaging with the stud as hereinbefore described.

The checking device is carried by or made a part of the bar B, and while I have shown a liquid checking device it is to be understood that an air check may be employed if desired *ithoutdeparture from the main features of my invention. The checking device preferably consists of cylinder and piston carried by or mounted upon the arm the cylinder may be separately upon said arm I prefer to form the cylinder within the arm,

it in a rethe spring and casing or in other words have the vawait-eell1made hollow to serve as the cylinder; As shown, the arm Bis provided withan interior chain her or cylinder G for a reciprocating piston H, the bar B in reality constituting a cylin der, the inner end of which is pivotally se cured to the bracket A. The piston H is operated by a piston rod pivotally connected to the bracket A, but the pivotal connection of the piston rod is eccentric to the pivotal connection of the cylinder or bar B, so that a relative movement of the bar and bracket A will so vary the positions of the two pivotal connections as to cause a movement of the piston and cylinder.

The bar B 'may be made from square tubing out to proper length and having the ends closed by plugs brazed or otherwise secured therein, said plugs being of a length sufiicient to afford adequate support for the pins 6 and b at one end, and for a pin 6 at the opposite of the arm to the adjustable link D. The formof the arm B is not essential, and instead of being rectangular in cross-section as shown, it may be made round if desired. The piston chamber or cylinder G through an opening 9 formed in the top of the bar B, said opening being slightly longer than the greatest possible stroke of. the piston, and being located about an equal distance from the outer end of the chamber G, the space between said end of the cylinder opening and the outer forming the workin the cylinder in'whic The opening g is closed by a box cover which projects above the bar B, and said cover is provided at its inner. end with an opening 9 for the piston red It. The sides of said cover areeach provided withafiange' g and similar. fiangesare formed on the sides of the bar B, t video for the screws which is also or compression end of the liquid is trapped for resistingtheforward stroke of the piston."

ese f anges; being pro' lu h secure ne end, the latter pin being provided for pivotally connecting the outer end is inserted and removed from the aie sae 8 by the requirenientof the checking device. ijsuall said arm will be initially adjusted so that the pivotal point K will be just out oi alinenient with the stud a and the pivotal point it oi the link 71, as shown in Fig. 3. 7

cover to the bar for closing the opening g. A Washer or. packing g may beinserted between the cover and bar to secure a fluid tight joint. The piston H is made to smoothly fit the interior of the cylinder and allow the liquid to be slowly forced around its edges from the tront to the rear thereof during its forward stroke. A hole it is bored through the piston fromend to end to ailord a passage -for the liquid during the rearward stroke, said hole or passage being partially or wholly closed during the forward stroke by a ball valve h. The passa e 72; is enlarged at the forward end or the piston to forms seat h? for the ball 7L2 and also to afford space for the passage of liquid around the ball when the latter is forced from its seat. The ball is retained in the end of the piston by pins h -so located as to permit a proper inovement of the for opening and closing the passageway. In line with the valve seat 72. is a small screw which may be moved inwardly to prevent the ball from entirely closing the passageway, this. ad ustment being prov ded in case it is de? sired to lessen the checking action of the device. By permitting more or less or the liq-.

v uid to pass through the passageway in the T piston, some of the resistance to the forward stroke will be removech'and the piston will in consequence act with less resistance to the closing movement'of the door. At the rear end ofthe piston there is a log. k which projects upwardly through the opening g into the box-cover g, and to this lug is secured the pistonzrodfhThe cover g is provided with a; l ole g7. injits top which isnorinally.

closedby a screwy, and when the piston H is at-the end of'its rearward stroke, the small adjustingscrew it will be below the hole .1, so that by removing the screw 9 said screw lz 'f'niay be reached for adjustment by a small screw driver. The hole 9 may also be used for the introduction'of liquid into the cylinder Gr. J c

The'piston rod]! is made to snugly tit the hole in the box cover and at its outer end said. rod is pivotally connected as at if, to a link hfithe other end of the'link being: pivotally connected at K to an arm K which; secured to the upper end. of the bracket stud a. The arm K affords a fined pivoted support for the piston rod, 5. 6., fixed with reference to the bracket A; and said rodis iidjustable radially on the rod a forapurpose to be explalnedl Said arm is provided with a hole 7: for receiving the end of the stud a, and around said hole is a seriesv of projections l? adapted to enter grooves 7-": formed longitudinally of the stud, so that said arin may be non-rotatively supported on said stud in any desirable radial position. The arm K held on the stud by IRGHDSDE a washer ic and nut as clearly shown. The position of the arm K is best determined if this adjustment should not meet require-- ments, its position with reference to the bracket may be readily changed as desired.

,llow referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that when the door is opened there is "he rear end of the cylinder, the liquid in the cylinder passing from the rear to the front of the piston through the passageway 5 it. ,On the return or closing ltove nent o the door, which is eiiected by the spring- E as heretofore explained, the piston and cylinzder more in the opposite direction, but this inoveinent is resisted by the liquid in the torwardend of the cylinderyandithis resistance acts as a check upon the closing movement of: the door, asther pist/on inust reach the forward end 01' the cylinder before the bracket A'and arm 3 can assume their 5 normal relative positions. The passageway 1:, being partly or Wholly closed by the ballvalve h the liquid in the forwi'irfd'end of the cylinder is gradually forced around the p'iston, and throughthe passagewaygfh if this be partially open, andthe rapidity xvi which the liquid is transferred from the front to the rear ofcthe pistondeterniines the-checking action; this as before explained being to some extent iiontrolledi ad{ justing screw it r p The pivotalrgonnectionK is-moved in a circular path around the pivotal connection of the arm B, and this movement afiects a:

relative movement or the cylinder and piston which is greatest when the door is open and which gradually lessens as the door approaches the end of its closing movement.

The checking action is therefore greatest when the spring'ls under its greatest tension, 11-5 -;and"it.will be readily seen that by adjusting 7 the rzidial positions of the arm K with respect to the bracket-stud a, the resistance of the checking device .may be considerably les sened or ent rely removed as the door reaches the end of.its. closingniovement. This 18 an important; feature of my invention, as the spring naybe set under considerably less tension than is required in prior devices of 1- this character and yet have suflicient force to overcome the resistance of a door latch at the end. of the closing movement of the door. it is. also to be noted that all of the parts of the device are readily accessible for adjustment and that it will require no spe- This causes a- 3n 1 are-,sa I

cial skill to assemble the parts or to edeet any desired adjustment.

- Having. thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In adoor closing and checking device, the combination with an arm having one end pivotally mounted. upon a supporting bracket adapted to be secured to .a door and the other end pivotally connected'to a link adapted to be securedto a door casing, of a cylinder carried by said arm and a piston in said cylinder, the latter being pivotally connected with said bracket eccentric to the pivotal connection of said arm. v

2. In a doohclo'sing and checking device, the combination with a bracket adapted to be securedito a door, a hollow arm having 1 one end pivotally connectedto said bracket,

piston operating within said arm, said piston being pivotally connected with said bracket at a point eccentric to the pivotal connection of said arm, and a link pivotally connected to the outer end of said arm, said link being adapted to be secured to a door casing,

3. Ina door closing and checking device, the combination with an arm having one end 'pivotallymounted upon a supporting bracket adapted to be secured to a door and the other end pivotally connected to a link adapted to be secured to a door casing, of a cylinder carried by said arm, a piston in saidcylinder having a pivotal connection with said bracket at a point eccentric to the pivotal connection of said arm, and a spring adapted to move said arm.

4. In a door closing and checking device, the combination with an arm having one end pivotally mounted upon a supporting bracket adapted to be secured to a door and the other end pivotally connected to a link adaptedto be secured to a door casing, of a cylinder carried by said arm, a piston in said cylinder, an adjustable pivotal support carried by the bracket eccentric to the pivotal connection of said arm, and operative connections between said piston and said support.

5:1na door closing and checking device,

- the ,combination of a bracket adapted to be secured to a door, a stud carried by said bracket, a spring-casin rotatively mounted on said stud, a spring aving one end connected to said stud and theother end connected to said casing, an arm having one end secured to said casing, a link pivotally conne ed. to the other end of said arm, a cyl- .cr carried by said arm, and a piston in aid cylinder, said piston being pivotally secured to said bracket eccentric to sa d stud.

vopening to said bracket at a point eccentric arm to said piston.

6. In a door closing and checking device, the combination of a bracket adapted to be secured to a door, a spring casingrotatively mounted on said bracket, a ring mounted on said casing around the pivotal axis thereof, an arm provided with projections adapted'to engage the inner and outer edges of said ring, and notches in one of the edges of said ,1 8. In a door closing and checking device,

the combination of a bracket adapted to be secured to a door, a hollow arm pivotally connected at one end to saidbracket, said hollow arm being closed at its ends and being provided W1th an opening in its top wall, a piston'adapted to be reciprocated in said arm longitudinally thereof, said piston I being operatlvely connected through said to the pivotal connection of said arm, and a link pivot-ally connected to the outer end of said arm and adapted to be secured to a door casing. V

9. In a door checking device, a cylinder, a piston operating therein, said piston having an opening therethrough for thepassa e of the checking fluid, a valve for contro ling said opening, and a screw adapted to be projected into the valve seat for preventing the valve from entirely closing said opening.

10. In a door-closing and checking device, the combination of a bracket adapted to be secured to a door, a stud carried by said bracket, a spring-casing rotatively mounted on said stud, a spring having one end connected to said stud and the other end connected to said casing, an arm secured at one end to said casing, a link pivotally connected to the other end of said arm, a cylinder carried by said arm, a piston in said cylinder, an armnon-rotatively mounted onsaid stud, and connections from the outer end of said In testimony whereof I have hereunto set nesses. c

" v ADAM H. SULSER. 5

Witnesses:

HOWELL BARTLE, E. S. KENGLA.

my hand in presence of two subscribing vvit- 

